Video

Apr 23, 2013 | 00:42

Clashes erupt outside Musharraf trial in Pakistan

April 23 - Lawyers and supporters of former President Pervez Musharraf clashed outside a Rawalpindi court trying the ex-military chief over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Rough Cut (no reporter narration)

TRANSCRIPT +

Lawyers clashed with supporters of former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday when the retired general appeared before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Musharraf arrived at the court under heavy security to face allegations that he had failed to provide adequate security to prevent the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.
The former dictator is also facing allegations that he overstepped his powers in a showdown with the judiciary in 2007 when he sacked the chief justice and placed judges under house arrest, moves that earned him widespread scorn among an increasingly activist cadre of lawyers and judges.
According to media reports, around 150 anti-Musharraf lawyers who came to the hearing seemed prepared for a showdown. Some were carrying wooden sticks and chanted slogans against the former military ruler before attacking his supporters.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed outside the court premises with at least two people injured during pitched battles between the two groups.

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